Turnbuckle load indicator

ABSTRACT

A load indicator for a spring loaded tensioning device. The indicator comprises an o-ring displaceable along a spring loaded tensionable shaft in a turnbuckle device. When the turnbuckle is unloaded, the indicator device is placed in a known position relative to an indicating mark. When the turnbuckle is loaded, the load causes the load indicator to be displaced a known distance for a known load on the spring loaded turnbuckle. For camper tie-downs, a displacement of about one-quarter inch is desirable for a load of about 300 pounds tension.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This invention is related to and claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 60/549,323, filed Mar. 1, 2004, entitledSPRING LOADED TURNBUCKLE WITH QUICK DISCONNECT, and is a continuation inpart from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/015,177, filed Dec. 17,2004, entitled SPRING LOADED TURNBUCKLE WITH QUICK DISCONNECT, and is acontinuation in part from U.S. Patent Application Express Mail Label No.ED 538344185 US (Serial No. not yet known), filed on May 3, 2005,entitled TURNBUCKLE HEAD ASSEMBLY, the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein in their entirety by this reference, including thespecification, drawings and claims of each application.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The patent owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of turnbuckles, and moreparticularly, to quickly releasable turnbuckle devices.

BACKGROUND

Turnbuckles have been used for many years, and various versions havelong provided their unique attributes for various tasks where it wasdesired to tighten the connection between two anchor points. In variousturnbuckle designs, the use of a spring has been adapted to include away to assure tensioning when for some reason the distance between thetwo anchor points might change or periodically vary to some limitedextent. One situation where adjustable tensioning devices are desirableare those applications where loads are situated on transport vehicles,such as trucks. Many different types of turnbuckles for tensioningconnections between loads and transport vehicles, or less commonly,between stationary objects and secure anchor points, are in use today.

Especially in the case of securing loads such as truck campers to pickuptruck bodies, or loads to other transport vehicles, it would be adistinct and important improvement to provide a spring loaded tensioningdevice which is quickly and easily secured between selected anchorpoints, and with respect to which adequacy of the tension load could bequickly determined. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide a designwhich can be quickly released from between anchor points, thus allowingthe tensioning device to be easily removed, and the loading tested andevaluated. Thus, the important advantages of a product providing suchdesirable features in a workable tensioning apparatus can be readilyappreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In order to enable the reader to attain a more complete appreciation ofthe invention, and of the novel features and the advantages thereof,attention is directed to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spring loaded turnbuckle device with apivotable quick release handle, configured for securing a first or upperhook, and showing the use of a tubular member in which a spring loadedthreaded rod having a second or lower hook is utilized.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a spring loaded turnbuckle witha pivotable quick release handle similar to the view just illustrated inFIG. 1 above, but now showing in hidden lines the details of pivotalattachment of the upper attachment device or hook.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a spring loaded turnbuckledevice, similar to the view showing in FIG. 1 above, but nowadditionally showing use of a locking pin with spring loaded catch, aswell as in hidden lines, the locking pin when removed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective of an upper attachment device, showingthe upper end with an attachment feature or hook, and a lower end sizedand shaped to accommodate a pivot pin therethrough, with washersadjacent along the pivot axis for ease of movement.

FIG. 5 is a partially cut away side view of an adjustable turnbuckle,showing the spring length at a first position with no load on the lowerhook, and indicating with reference lines only the spring length whencompressed as if a load had been placed on the lower hook.

FIG. 6 is a partially cut away side view of an adjustable turnbuckle,showing the compressed spring length at a second position when a load isplaced on the lower hook.

FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of the spring loaded turnbuckle, andillustrates the device in an open position, before closing the handleand securing the turnbuckle.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the spring loaded turnbuckle justillustrated in FIG. 7 above, and shows the handle having been movedpartially toward the closed position.

FIG. 9 shows the operation of the turnbuckle just illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8 above, now showing the handle fully closed, ready to accept alocking pin, as illustrated in FIG. 3 above.

FIG. 10 illustrates the use of a moveable load indicating device such asan o-ring as a gauge to set spring tension in a turnbuckle, with theo-ring shown in the unloaded position flush against a bottom plug.

FIG. 11 illustrates one step in the installation of a turnbuckle withmoveable load indicating device such as an o-ring, where the threadedhook is positioned and adjusted until the bottom of the threaded hook isabout one-half inch above the tie-down anchor on a truck campertie-down.

FIG. 12 is a close up view of a threaded hook on a loaded turnbuckle,with the moveable load indicating device such as an o-ring showndisplaced from the bottom plug about one-quarter of an inch, to providea reliable indicator of a selected loading on the threaded hook, such asabout 300 pounds tension.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a quick disconnect turnbuckle withmoveable load indicating device such as an o-ring, showing theturnbuckle in a closed, load securing position exerting a preslectedamount of tension between anchor points.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a quick disconnect turnbuckle showingthe use of a wrench to hold a lock nut in place on the end of a threadedrod, during installation.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a quick disconnect turnbuckle, showinga locking nut such as a Nylock type nut installed on the end of athreaded rod, as well as the use of an internal o-ring between the lowerend of the locking nut and an adjustable caged square nut better seen inFIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a quick disconnect turnbuckle, showingan adjustable caged square nut as well as a locking nut at the end of atensionable threaded rod.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a quick disconnect turnbuckle, showingan adjustable caged square nut on a tensionable threaded rod before itis lowered into its caged position.

The foregoing figures, being merely exemplary, contain various elementsthat may be present or omitted from actual implementations dependingupon the circumstances. An attempt has been made to draw the figures ina way that illustrates at least those elements that are significant foran understanding of the various embodiments and aspects of theinvention. However, various other elements of a load indicator for aspring loaded turnbuckle device, especially as applied for differentvariations of the functional components illustrated, as well asdifferent embodiments of artistic elements such as a handle design, maybe utilized in order to provide a robust spring loaded turnbuckle devicewith quick disconnect capability having a load indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a spring loaded turnbuckledevice 20 is provided. The device includes an elongated structuralmember 22 extending along a longitudinal axis 21 (see centerline CL,also). In one embodiment the elongated member 22 can be provided in theform of a square tubular member (which, for purposes of the claims ofthis patent, such square tubular member shall be considered to beexpanded in definition to take in not only include the aforementionedsquare cross-sectional shape, but also a rectangular cross-sectionalshape, and, as well (in solid form) any parallelepiped having a hollowcenter portion). The elongated member 22 in the form of a tubular memberas indicated in FIG. 1 includes exterior sidewalls 23, a bottom(partial) plug 24, an elongated rod 28 and in one embodiment havingthreads 29, and an attachment feature at the lower end 30 such as hook31.

As better seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, an adjustment nut 32 is adjustablysecured to threaded portion of elongated rod 28 at a suitable locationto cage a compression spring 34 against bottom end stop 36. Accordingly,the adjustment nut 32 is dimensioned for interference anti-rotation fitwithin the interior walls 58 of elongated member 22. In one embodiment,bottom stop 36 is securely fixed within an indented portion 38 ofinnerwalls 58 of the elongated square tubular structure 22.

The elongated member 22 has an upper or first end 40 and a second orlower end 42. The bottom or end stop 36 is located at or spaced apart atleast some distance from the second or lower end 42. The bottom end stop36 has a passageway therethrough defined by throughwall portions 44, foraccommodating in reciprocating fashion the rod 28, and usually (but notnecessarily) along threaded upper portion 29 of rod 28.

A compression spring 34 is provided alongside or adjacent rod 28, whichin one embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the compressionspring 34 may be centered around and/or encircle at least some of theupper portion of the rod 28. In any event, the compression spring 34 isdisposed adjacent a portion of the rod 28, including in someembodiments, adjacent a threaded portion 29 of rod 28. Compressionspring 34 has a lower end 50 situated for compression against the bottomend stop 36 located within the elongated member 22.

An adjustment nut 32 is threadably engaged with the upper portion 54 ofthreaded portion 29 of rod 28 in a manner which provides a retainingsurface 56 below adjustment nut 32, so as to secure the compressionspring 34 downwardly therefrom. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, theadjustment nut 32 is caged or secureable against interior walls 58 ofelongated member 22 rotation when the threaded rod 28 is rotated withrespect to the elongated member 22.

A pivot housing 60 is provided secured to the elongated member 22, andas illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, is secured at or adjacent the upper end40 of elongated member 22. A pivotable handle 62 is pivotably secured tothe pivot housing 60 along a first pivot axis 64 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).First 66 and in one embodiment second 68 pivot pins are disposed alongfirst pivot axis 64 to pivotally connect the pivot handle 62 with thepivot housing 60.

An upper attachment device 70 having an upper end 72 with an attachmentfeature such as a hook 74 is provided. The upper attachment device 70has a lower end 76 pivotally affixed to the pivotable handle 62 along asecond pivot axis 78, using hook pivot pin 80 (see FIG. 4). As can beappreciated by review of FIG. 7, the lower end 76 of the upperattachment device 70 is displaceable arcuately along arc indicated byreference numeral 82 in a direction outward from the elongated member 22and thus increasing the distance between the second pivot axis 78 andthe lower end 42 of the elongated member 22, when the pivotable handle62 is moved toward a first, open position 90 as seen in FIG. 7. Thelower end 76 of the upper attachment device 70 is displaceable arcuately82 in a direction inward toward a the elongated member 22 and decreasingthe distance between the second pivot axis 78 and the second end 42 ofelongated member 22 when the pivotable handle 62 is moved toward asecond, closed position 92 as indicated in FIG. 9. As can be seen bycomparison of FIGS. 7 and 9, in one embodiment, an “over centered”configuration is utilized so that the turnbuckle handle 62 will bestable in a closed position 92, since when in the closed position 92,the first pivot axis 64 and the second pivot axis 78 are not centeredalong the longitudinal axis of elongated member 22. Rather, the secondpivot axis 78 is offset rearward from the first pivot axis 64 by apreselected offset distance of D_(o) as indicated in FIG. 7.

At or near the upper end 100 of rod 28, a stop 100 may be provided. Asindicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a nut 102 may be utilized as a stop, and inone embodiment, a locking type nut 102 threadably secured to the upperthreaded portion of the rod 28.

It is convenient to provide the pivot housing 60 with first 110 andsecond 112 frame members, and in one embodiment, a back 114. If desired,first 110, second 112, and back 114 frame members can be provided in aunitary, one-piece configuration. Also, to make a compact andprotectable turnbuckle, the pivotable handle 62 can be provided in anembodiment wherein a wishbone shaped upper end 116 is provided havingopposing third 120 and fourth 124 frame members. As illustrated, thefirst 110 and third 120 frame members are pivotally secured one to theother by a first handle pivot pin 66. The second 112 and fourth 124frame members are pivotally secured one to the other by a second handlepivot pin 68. As earlier noted, the first 66 and second 68 handle pivotpins are located along a common axis of rotation 64. For the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 2, the common axis of rotation 64 is transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the elongated member 22.

For one embodiment shown, the lower end 76 of upper attachment device 70is pivotally affixed to pivotable handle 62 at a second pivot 78 axisextending between the third 120 and fourth 124 frame members, by pivotpin 80, and between washers W. The second pivot axis 78 is parallel tothe common axis of rotation 64 of first 66 and second 68 handle pivotpins. As shown, the second pivot axis 78 and the common axis of rotation64 are centered by a spaced apart selected distance D_(P). For smallturnbuckles as might be useful for attachment between pickup trucks andcampers, a center to center pivot distance D_(P) of at least one inchcan be utilized. More preferably, the preselected center to centerspaced apart distance D_(P) is about one and one-half inches.

In order to provide security, or use of locks, the first frame 110 andsecond frame 112 have first 130 and second 132 frame aperturestherethrough defined by first frame aperture throughwalls 134 and secondframe aperture throughwalls 136, respectively. First 130 and second 134frame apertures are aligned along a common aperture axis 140 transverseto the longitudinal axis of the elongated member 22.

The third 120 and said fourth 124 frames have third 142 and fourth 144frame apertures therethrough defined by third frame aperture throughwall146 and fourth frame aperture throughwall 148, respectively. The first130, second 134, third 142, and fourth 144 frame apertures are alignedalong a common axis 140 transverse to the longitudinal axis of theelongated member 22.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a locking pin 150 can be provided to secureturnbuckle 20 in a closed position. The locking pin 150 is sized andshaped for releasable mating engagement through the said first 130,second 134, third 142, and fourth 144 frame apertures and thus with thefirst 110, second 112, third 120, and fourth 124 frames. In this manner,when the said pivotable handle 62 is placed in the second, closedposition 92, the first 130, second 134, third 142, and fourth 144 frameapertures are in alignment along axis 140. The locking pin 150 has ahead 152, a shaft portion 154, and a distal end 156. A generallyU-shaped spring catch 158 is provided pivotally affixed to the headportion 152. The catch 158 includes a bootstrap end portion 160 which isreleasably spring latchable over the distal end 156 of the locking pin150. In one embodiment, the shaft portion 154 of the locking pin 150 iscylindrical in shape. In such a case, the first 130, second 134, third142, and fourth 144 apertures are provided in complementary size andshape for close fitting mating engagement.

The pivotable handle 62 may be provided with an upper end having awishbone shape 116 with outwardly extending opposing frame members 120and 124. The upper attachment device 70 is thus pivotally securedbetween frame members 120 and 124 via pivot pin 80. Pivotable handle 62may include a functional as well as decorative grip end portion 160. Thesize and shape of the grip end portion is configured for the fitting ofat least some of a user's fingers therethrough. In one embodiment, forexample as seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the grip end portion 160 may include alever portion 162 and a trigger portion 164. Then, the lever portion 162is sized and shaped for fitting of a plurality of a user's fingerstherethrough. More fundamentally, the functional shape of the grip endportion 160 may be provided in a rifle handle and trigger lockconfiguration as seen in FIG. 9. Such a configuration provides for easeof use; however, other pivotable handle 62 configurations may beprovided.

The elongated member 22 may be provided in a stainless steel material,and of a tubular stainless steel, such as a square tubular stainlesssteel part, to virtually eliminate rusting. For enhancing the look of aturnbuckle 20 when installed on a vehicle, the turnbuckle may be paintedwith a rust resistant powder coated finish in a selected color.

For additional weather protection, the upper end 40 of elongated member22, when provided in tubular configuration, may be provided with a plug160 to effectively seal the upper or first end 40 of the tubular memberagainst the weather.

As seen in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13, an external o-ring 170 may beused as a gauge to set the spring tension in the turnbuckle device. Asshown in FIG. 10, when the turnbuckle is unloaded, the o-ring 170 isadjusted up to a flush position against the bottom plug of the elongatedtubular housing of the turnbuckle. Thus, the bottom plug serves as anunloaded position indicator for the o-ring. In this unloaded position,the turnbuckle is unloaded, as indicated in FIG. 8, for example. Then,locking the lever down as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13 should result in theo-ring being spaced downward to approximately one-quarter of an inchbelow the starting position relative to the plug at the bottom of thebody of the turnbuckle (or other indicating position, if used). Forcamper tie-down purposes, a loading on the turnbuckle spring of about300 pounds tension is desirable for many applications, and such loadingshould give the indicated one-quarter inch of displacement of themoveable load indicating device, i.e. the o-ring or other device. Formost purposes, it is handy if the o-ring is sized and shaped for closefitting engagement around the lower attachment feature, indicated asthreaded lower attachment feature 29 in FIG. 8. For most purposes a loadindicating device comprising a resilient flexible rubberlike material isdesirable.

Also, the apparatus just described is useful in a method for indicatingthe load on turnbuckles, wherein the a turnbuckle having a spring loadedlinearly displaceable shaft is provided, the said shaft having anunloaded position relative to an indicating position. The a moveableload indicating device such as an o-ring is provided on a said springloaded linearly displaceable shaft of a turnbuckle. Before loading theturnbuckle, the load indicating device is moved to a turnbuckle unloadedposition. Then, the turnbuckle is loaded. Then, the distance between theposition of the load indicating device is observed, with respect to theturnbuckle loaded and unloaded positions. For use in camper tie-downs,the spring loading on a spring loaded linearly displaceable shaft issuch that when said displaceable shaft is loaded to about 300 poundstension, said load indicating device moves about one quarter of an inchfrom the position of said load indicating device when said turnbuckle isunloaded.

It is to be appreciated that the various aspects and embodiments of aspring loaded quick disconnect turnbuckle device as described herein arean important improvement in the state of the art. The spring loadedquick disconnect turnbuckle is simple, robust, reliable, and susceptibleto use in a variety of applications. Although only a few exemplaryembodiments have been described in detail, various details aresufficiently set forth in the drawings and in the specification providedherein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention(s), which need not be further described by additional writingin this detailed description.

Importantly, the aspects and embodiments described and claimed hereinmay be modified from those shown without materially departing from thenovel teachings and advantages provided by this invention, and may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the embodiments presentedherein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. As such, this disclosure is intended to cover thestructures described herein and not only structural equivalents thereof,but also equivalent structures. Numerous modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teachings.

1. An adjustable turnbuckle, comprising: a pivot housing, said pivothousing secured to an adjustable turnbuckle, said turnbuckle having alinear displaceable lower attachment feature; a pivotable handle, saidpivotable handle secured to said pivot housing at a first pivot axis; anupper attachment device having an upper end with an attachment featureand a lower end pivotally affixed to said pivotable handle at a secondpivot axis; said lower end of said upper attachment device displaceablearcuately in a direction outward from said elongated member andincreasing the distance between said second pivot axis and said secondend of said elongated member when said pivotable handle is moved towarda first, open position; said lower end of said upper attachment devicedisplaceable arcuately in a direction inward toward a said elongatedmember and decreasing the distance between said second pivot axis andsaid second end of said elongated member when said pivotable handle ismoved toward a second, closed position; and said displaceable lowerattachment feature further comprising a moveable load indicating device.2. The device set forth in claim 1, wherein said turnbuckle comprises anelongated tubular member.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 2, whereinsaid tubular member comprises a square tubular member.
 4. The device asset forth in claim 2, wherein said turnbuckle further comprises a springloaded threaded rod having and upper portion and affixed to or providedintegrally with said lower attachment feature, and a compression springencircling at least some portion of said threaded rod.
 5. The device asset forth in claim 4, wherein said tubular member comprises interiorwalls, and wherein said turnbuckle further coprises an adjustable nutsecured against rotation with respect to said interior walls.
 6. Thedevice as set forth in claim 5, wherein said adjustment nut isdimensioned for interference anti-rotation fit within said interiorwalls of said tubular member.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 4,wherein adjacent said upper portion of said threaded rod, a stop isprovided.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 7, wherein said stopcomprises a locking stop nut, said stop nut threadably secured to saidupper portion of said rod.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 1,wherein said pivot housing, said pivot housing comprises opposing firstand second frame members, and and wherein said pivotable handlecomprises an upper end having opposing third and forth frame members,and wherein said first and said third frame members are pivotallysecured one to the other by a first handle pivot pin, and wherein saidsecond and fourth frame members are pivotally secured one to the otherby a second handle pivot pin, and wherein said first and second handlepivot pins are located along a common axis of rotation.
 10. The deviceas set forth in claim 9, wherein said common axis of rotation istransverse to said longitudinal axis of said elongated member.
 11. Thedevice as set forth in claim 9, wherein said lower end of said upperattachment device is pivotally affixed to said pivotable handle at asecond pivot axis extending between said third and said fourth framemembers, and wherein said second pivot axis is parallel to said commonaxis of rotation of said first and said second handle pivot pins. 12.The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said second pivot axis andsaid common axis of rotation are centered by a spaced apart selecteddistance D.
 13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein saidpreselected distance D_(P) is at least one inch.
 14. The device as setforth in claim 12, wherein said preselected distance D_(P) is about oneand one-half inches.
 15. The device as set forth in claim 9, whereinsaid first frame and said second frame have first and second frameapertures therethrough defined by first frame aperture throughwalls andsecond frame aperture throughwalls, respectively, and wherein said firstand said second frame apertures are aligned along a common axistransverse to said longitudinal axis of said elongated member.
 16. Thedevice as set forth in claim 15, wherein said third and said forthframes have third and fourth frame apertures therethrough defined bythird frame aperture throughwalls and fourth frame aperturethroughwalls, respectively, and wherein said first, second, third, andfourth frame apertures are aligned along a common axis transverse tosaid longitudinal axis of said elongated member.
 17. The device as setforth in claim 16, further comprising a locking shaft, said lockingshaft sized and shaped for releasable mating engagement through saidfirst, second, third, and fourth frame apertures and thus with saidfirst, second, third, and fourth frames, when said pivotable handle isplaced in said second, closed position so that said first, second,third, and fourth apertures are in alignment.
 18. The device as setforth in claim 17, wherein said locking shaft further comprises a headportion, a shaft portion, and a distal end, and wherein U-shaped springcatch is pivotably affixed to said head portion, said catch having abootstrap end portion which is releasably spring latchable over saiddistal end of said locking pin.
 19. The device as set forth in claim 18,wherein said shaft portion of said locking shaft is cylindrical inshape, and wherein said first, second, third, and fourth apertures areprovided in complementary size and shape for close fitting matingengagement.
 20. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said tubularmember comprises stainless steel.
 21. The device as set forth in claim1, wherein said movable load indicating device comprises an o-ring, saido-ring sized and shaped for close fitting engagement around said lowerattachment feature.
 22. The device as set forth in claim 21, whereinsaid o-ring comprises a resilient flexible rubberlike material.
 23. Aload indicating method for turnbuckles, comprising: providing aturnbuckle having a spring loaded linearly displaceable shaft, saidshaft having an unloaded position relative to an indicating position;providing a moveable load indicating device on said spring loadedlinearly displaceable shaft; moving said load indicating device to aturnbuckle unloaded position; loading said turnbuckle; observing thedistance of said moveable load indicating device when said turnbuckle isloaded, from said position of said load indicating device when saidturnbuckle is unloaded.
 24. The method as set forth in claim 23, whereinsaid moveable load indicating device comprises an o-ring.
 25. The methodas set forth in claim 23, wherein spring loading on said spring loadedlinearly displaceable shaft is such that when said displaceable shaft isloaded to about 300 pounds tension, said load indicating device movesabout one quarter of an inch from the position of said load indicatingdevice when said turnbuckle is unloaded.